Raleigh, North Carolina

State capital and college town (North Carolina State University, Shaw University) of 470,000 in famed Research Triangle. Median home price $228,000. Cost of living near national average.PROS: Above-average rank on Milken Institute list of best cities for successful aging. Good air quality. Good economy. No state estate/inheritance tax, no state income tax on Social Security income. Moderate climate. CONS: Not very walkable. Doctors per capita below national average. NOTED: Serious crime rate near national average. Elevation 300 feet. On list years ago. TRIVIA: Named for English explorer and tobacco proponent Sir Walter Raleigh.